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Where to stay in Xin'an for a first-timer?
For a first timer, I'd suggest staying near Zhongshan Road or around the Old Street area. That puts you right in the middle of the best food stalls and the night market scene, plus the bus routes to Shenzhen are super convenient from there. The area around Wenheyou is also solid if you want a bit more modern cafes and shops mixed in. You'll walk out your door and have a dozen choices for breakfast noodles or dumplings within five minutes.
tbh the old street area is solid but if u want something a lil different try near Haoxiang Village station on line 5. it's a 10 min bus to the old street but way less touristy and the food scene around there is legit. there's this spot called Laoma Noodles on Baomin Road that does the best wontons in the district, no contest. transit is easy since line 5 connects straight to Shenzhen North in like 20 mins
yeah honestly just pick something around the old street area, it's the easiest for food and getting around. the bao'an district side is quieter but still has good transit if you want less noise
Shanghai hidden gems beyond the Bund?
honestly skip the bund crowds and head to the former french concession around wukang road. grab a coffee at some random lane spot, the whole area has these old lane houses that feel way more real than the skyline. also check out the rock bund art museum near the south bund, it's in this old industrial building with killer views and barely any tourists last time i was there. if u want food, go to tianzifang but skip the main alleys and wander into the side lanes, you'll find a tiny dumpling place that's like 15 yuan for 10 pieces
if you're around on a weekend morning, hit up the antique market on dongtai road before it fully gentrifies. it's mostly gone now tbh but there's still a few stalls tucked near the intersection with liuhe road, you'll find old propaganda posters and weird mao-era knickknacks for like 20 kuai. also the shanghai natural history museum in jing'an is underrated, the building itself is this wild spiral shape and the dinosaur skeletons are legit impressive, plus it's like 30 yuan entry. for a quiet evening walk i'd do the suzhou creek path near the north bund but go west from the waibaidu bridge, past the old post office building, there's a stretch where the lights hit the water just right and nobody's around
yeah if you want something totally different check out the long museum (long museum west bund) it's this massive space with rotating contemporary art, way less crowded than the power station of art. also walk the suzhou creek trail near the north bund, it's kinda rough around the edges but you get these weird views of old factories mixed with new towers